SOTU Award: Worst Unit and Miami Hurricanes 2024 Place Overview: Defensive Again

Heading into the 2024 season, the place with essentially the most questions was undoubtedly defensive again. With a number of starters from 2023 shifting on to the NFL, there have been questions in regards to the gamers introduced in via recruiting and the switch portal to interchange the outgoing expertise.

After a stable, however not good, begin to the 12 months, the secondary grew to become who many thought they’d be: a thorn in Miami’s aspect that will price the Canes video games. Accidents performed a component as effectively, however the poor efficiency of the gamers, and the ineffectual scheme of the coordinator, doomed Miami to one more 12 months with out even enjoying for the ACC Championship. Once you additionally contemplate the truth that Miami had one of the best season from a QB in program historical past, and was firmly the #1 ranked offense from the primary snap of the season to the final, the failings of the defensive again group have been catastrophic. I do know y’all assume I’m liable to hyperbole, however the magnitude of the failure of this unit can’t be overstated.

Need to know why Miami fired their defensive coordinator? Look no additional than this unit.

Numbers

Miami’s passing protection was an issue for the Canes, and a welcomed sight for his or her opponents. Large performs got up typically, and miscommunications have been par for the course.

Miami ended 2025 57th in passing protection, permitting 214.4 yards per sport, 2,787 yards whole on 57.7% completions, 22 TDs and 14 INTs. No, the passing stats aren’t fully on the secondary, however protection is their main accountability.

Miami allowed 106 passes of 10+ yards, 43 passes of 20+ yards, 13 passes of 30+, 8 passes of 40+ yards, 6 passes of fifty+ yards, and a couple of passes of 60+ yards. Infamously, a number of groups had their longest go play of the season (to that time) in opposition to Miami. Cal, for instance, had their FIVE longest passing performs of the 12 months to that time within the sport in opposition to Miami. Syracuse threw for one million yards on Miami within the common season finale, they usually had a 65 yard landing referred to as again for a formation penalty.

There have been loads of breakdowns in run assist and tackling within the secondary as effectively. Unhealthy angles (my GOD, Jaden Harris), and whiffs that allowed groups to run freely for lengthy positive aspects. Florida hit us for a 71 yard TD run. VT did related. Cal walked up and down the sphere with ease. I do know all of us noticed it, however yeah, the secondary was fairly poor this season for the Canes.

Starters

CB Romanas “O.J.” Frederique — 13 video games, 8 begins, 30 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 interception, 7 PBU, Freshman All-American, runner-up for ACC Defensive Rookie of the 12 months, Honorable point out All-ACC

CB Daryl Porter Jr. — 13 video games, 13 begins, 28 tackles, 7 PBU, 2 QB hurries,

CB D’yoni Hill — 11 video games, 5 begins, 33 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU,

CB Jadais Richard — 9 video games, 6 begins, 27 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 interception, 3 PBU, 2 QB Hurries, 1 pressured fumble

S Mishael Powell — 13 video games, 13 begins, 38 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 5 interceptions, 1 INT-TD, 6 PBU, 1 QB hurry, 2nd Workforce All-ACC

S Jaden Harris — 13 video games, 13 begins, 40 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 1 interception

There have been 2 gamers that stood out above the remainder within the secondary this season: Washington switch S Mishael Powell and true freshman CB O.J. Frederique. They have been the intense spots of the secondary, to make sure. If constructive issues have been taking place within the secondary, it was due to Powell, Frederique, or each. Neither was good, as a result of no participant is, however each have been one of the best that Miami needed to supply.

And, with the truth that Frederique was a real freshman this 12 months, the sky is the restrict for him at Miami.

Porter Jr. moved between slot and outdoors nook all year long. He had moments, however the lack of a agency place was a hindrance, not an indication of his versatility. Powell additionally took turns at slot nook as Miami looked for solutions on this group all year long.

Hill transferred in from Marshall to play for Guidry and CB coach Chevis Jackson, each of whom coached him at Marshall beforehand. He was a physique, however didn’t have the athleticism or ability to be a worth add within the secondary at this degree. However, with the dearth of depth and expertise within the secondary, Hill performed a variety of snaps. Which, I imply, was a factor that occurred.

Richard is a giant nook who has developed effectively in his time at Miami. He was a giant contributor, and added a 6’2” participant to fight the larger receivers most groups attempt to have of their rotations now. Nevertheless, he sustained a nasty knee harm within the Duke sport which ended his season.

Harris is an athletic participant within the secondary, however his lack of ability was obvious. He struggled with taking correct angles, tackling opposing gamers, and was far too typically the explanation issues went mistaken. I used to be amongst Harris’s greatest followers as a recruit, however the beginning Security position to interchange Kam Kinchens was a lot too massive an ask for Harris.

Grades:
Frederique: A-
Powell: B
Richard: C+
Porter Jr: C
Hill: D
Harris: F

Contributors

CB Damari Brown — 2 video games, 1 begin, 2 tackles

CB Robert Stafford — 13 video games, 7 tackles, 1 PBU

S Markeith Williams — 12 video games, 1 begin, 13 tackles, 1 PBU

S Zaquan Patterson — 12 video games, 2 begins, 19 tackles, 3 PBU

S Dylan Day — 12 video games, 7 tackles

Brown was alleged to be a foundational participant for this secondary. However, he received injured early within the opener at Florida (the sport he began), and missed the remainder of the season, save the Syracuse sport. Brown has the dimensions and ability this unit wanted, and his absence was positively felt.

Williams and Patterson each rotated in at Security. With the atrocious efficiency of Harris, I’d have beloved to see both or each get much more snaps than they did. Each Williams and Patterson confirmed flashes of the blue chip expertise they have been recruited to deliver to the Canes’ roster, but additionally each had moments that confirmed they weren’t totally prepared for primetime this previous season.

Stafford was a depth piece who rotated in at nook infrequently. He was extra often seen with Williams and Patterson on particular groups, however had his struggles there. He was famously run previous by Wake Forest and Louisville on lengthy kickoff return touchdowns, which is problematic as Stafford’s finest (solely?) ability is his straight line velocity.

Day, a recruiting gem from Louisiana discovered by former DC Lance Guidry, was a particular groups monster. He confirmed loads of velocity, energy, and instincts to assume he might additional develop right into a stable Security down the road. The potential is there, and hopefully the brand new workers and unlock it additional.

Grades:
Brown: incomplete (harm)
Stafford: D
Williams: C+
Patterson: C+
Day: A (however in a restricted position)

Remainder of the Room

S Ryan Mack — 1 sport

CB Myles Mooyoung — 3 video games, 2 tackles, 1 interception

CB/WR Robby Washington — 8 video games, 7 tackles,

S Isaiah Taylor — 5 video games, 2 tackles

Mack is a real freshman with potential. Taylor is a depth piece at finest. Mooyoung is a former walk-on with restricted athleticism. He’s transferred in quest of the enjoying time he would by no means get right here at Miami. And Washington is a blazing WR who fell out of favor there, transitioned to CB, and ended up transferring so he might play on offense. None actually performed in base protection in video games that mattered, however they did play some, so I needed to make sure I discussed them as effectively.

Once you take a look at the person grades, it actually fell on a couple of gamers who struggled for Miami’s secondary this 12 months. The extra factor value noting right here: the scheme these gamers have been enjoying was routinely eviscerated by opposing offensive playcallers. Week after week, we heard “oh man, they confirmed one thing we haven’t seen earlier than” and the solutions for the questions introduced by opposing offenses have been few and much between.

Once you mix the struggles of the secondary with the problems of the one other place I reviewed, linebacker, it’s clear that the protection for Miami left MUCH to be desired. And, ultimately, price Miami the possibility to compete for championships, which is such a disgrace since this 12 months’s offense was actually one of the best we’ve ever seen.

The unbelievable particular person efficiency of Frederique was balanced out by the truth that groups centered on focusing on different much less gifted and worse performing gamers in protection. And, even he struggled within the debacle at Syracuse, when the Orange determined to not keep away from the freshman All-American, however as an alternative problem him to carry out play after play.

General, was the unit of concern heading into the 12 months, and between efficiency struggles and accidents eradicating a number of of the highest gamers from the sphere, this unit hit all of the worst case situations for efficiency. There have been vast open receivers, missed tackles, horrible penalties, boatloads of errors, and, ultimately, this unit was singularly liable for Miami lacking out on the ACC Championship Recreation and School Soccer Playoffs.

I hate to place a lot blame on them, however information are information. With valuable few exceptions, the teaching and efficiency of the secondary was deplorable. I hate it, however that’s the trustworthy reality. Sorry to be the bearer of dangerous information.

Go Canes